Cosmetic holder



H. K. BEACH, JR

cosMETIc HOLDER Filed July 26. 195e June 4, 1957 United CSMETC HLDER Herman K. Beach, Jr., Fairfield, Conn., assigner to The Bridgeport Metal Goods Mfg. Co., Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 25, 1956, Serial No. 6%,238

4 ciaims. (ci. zes-ss) the lipstick is slidably received. When not in use, the lip-l stick is recessed within and protected by the casing; and when the lipstick is used, it is projected from one end of the casing in such manner that the casing may be gripped to facilitate application of the lipstick. An improved and preferred type of cosmetic holder for this purpose is illustrated and described in .United States Patent No. 2,118,399 to Giles C. Fullmer, assignor to the Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Company, owner of this application. The present invention relates to a lipstick or cosmetic holder-of the type shown in the Fullmer patent, but deals with specific improvements in the holder, whereby manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced and an improved overall product is provided.

ln the cosmetic holder `described in the Fullmer patent, a lipstick or similar cosmetic item is mounted in a carrier which is slidably received in a tubular casing. Ihe carrier is moved longitudinally in the casing, to move the lipstick between recessed and projected positions, by means of a flexible metal tape. The metal tape is adapted to be manually manipulated by means of a small thumb-piece slidably carried by the case and exposed at one side thereof. The flexible tape is also attached to a hinge member which carries a hinged cover adapted to close off the open end of the case when the lipstick is recessed therein.

One of the specific features of the present invention resides in the provision of improved arrangements for assembling the llexible metal tape and the hinge member in operative relation within the outer casing member. As will be more fully apparent upon consideration of the following description, a small space is provided within the case, alongside the lipstick, for movement of the flexible tape, hinge element and cover. It is important that this space be kept as small-as possible to avoid bulkiness in the complete assembly. Accordingly, the-various component parts are of relatively small size, causingsome diculty in thehandling and assembly of the components. However, in accordance with the teachings of the invention, the flexible tape `and hinge member may be quickly and easily assembled by a simple manual operation, and without tools and machinery of any type. ,Moreover, improved arrangements are provided for attaching a manually engageable thumb-piece to the hinge member independentlyrof the tape, so that the assembly of the hinge member and tape may conveniently take place while these parts are entirely removed from the casing. Y

Another specific feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved plastic core or insert which is received within the casing and forms a compartment therein for slidably receiving 'the lipstick carrier, while at the .same time defining appropriate chambers or spaces for the atent j 'l ice accommodation of the exible metal tape, hinge element, and cover. In ythis respect, the invention further provides novel and improved arrangements for locking the plastic core together with the casing, with the core in a predetermined desired position in the casing. The arrangements are such that upon insertion of the core into the casing, the core is automatically interengaged with the casing and retained in the proper position therein.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the im? proved lipstick assembly, illustrating the lipstick as recessed within the holder, 1

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional viewy similar Yto that of Fig. l, illustrating the lipstick as partially projected from the holder; Y Y Y Fig. 3 is `a front elevation of the holder, -with parts bro'ken away to illustrate certain features of thefc'on-V struction; *A

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectionalview, taken along line 4 4 of Fig. l; l

Fig. 5 is Va plan View of a metal blank used in forming a hinge element incorporated in the holder assembly of Figs. 1 3;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the hinge element formed with the blank shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the flexible metal tape incorporated in the holder assembly of Figs. 1 3; and

Figs. 8-1'0 are sequential fragmentary perspective views illustrating the manner inwhich the ilexiole ltape andV hinge element are secured together.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 designates a generally rectangular casing, formed of thinwalled metal, and having an open upper end 11. Along one of its side walls lila, the casing is provided with a ver! tical slot 12 which terminates short of the upper and lower ends of the casing.

' Received within the casing 10 is a core or insert designated generally by the numeral 13, which is advantageously formed of a suitable plastic material and extends from the bottom'wall of the casing to a point spaced'slightly below the top edge thereof. The plastic core 13 is formed with a cylindrical opening 14 opening at the top'of the core and `terminating adjacent the lower end thereof. At

than the space between the opposed `walls 10a and 10b of the casing, which may be designated for the purposeV of this description as vertical end walls. In accordance with the invention, the core- 13 has base extensions 17 at its lower end which are integral with the core and spaced at opposite sides thereof. The base extensions 17 have' portions 17a projecting outwardly to the right and por! tions 17b projecting outwardly to the left of thevertical end walls of the core. base extensions 17 are substantially equal to the interior dimensions of the casing 10, so that when the core is inserted within the casing the lower end of the core is held rmly in place by the base extensions; and, in accordance with the invention, Ythe right-hand vertical end wall of the core is spaced a substantial distance from the end Wall 10a of the casing, while the left-hand Wall of- The overall dimensions of the` 3 the core Vvis`paced a small distance from the end wall 10b ofthe casing.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the lower portion of the core 13, between thebase extensions, is of semi-circular contour, and is spaced above the lower edges of the base extensions. The arrangement is such that when the core is fully received within thecasing, thebottom wall 18 of the core is spaced-above the bottom' wall ofthe casing, and delines in combination with the inner v.surfaces of the base extensions 17 an arcuate groove or channel. Y

At the upper endv of the core 13, at the left as viewed in Figs. l and 2, is a boss19 which projects outwardly of the vertical end wall of the core and functions, when the casing and core are assembled together, to'hold the wall of the core in spaced relation to the end wall b of the casing. In addition, bosses 20 and 21 project outwardly from spaced points on the same wall of the core, below the boss 19, to assist in maintaining the end wall 10b and core in the desired spaced relation.

In accordance with the invention, the core 13 is interengaged with the casing 10 and retained in the desired position therein upon the longitudinal insertion of the core into the open end of the casing. To this end, the core 13 is provided with a vertical groove or recess 22 extending from the extreme lower end of the core to a point spaced Yfromithe upper end thereof. The upper end of recess 22, as shown in Fig. 4, is defined by an inclined surface23 which intersects'the` outer surface of the core. Spaced immediately above the end of the recess 22 isa second recess 24, forming a shoulder 25 adjacent the inclined surface 23. Directly opposite the recess 24, on the adjacent side wall 10c of the casing, is an indentation in the casing, forming projection 26 extending into the interior of the casing. VThe projection 26 is aligned with the recess 22 in the core, so that as the core is inserted longitudinally into the casing the projection is received in the recess. However, when the core 13 is substantially fully received in the casing, the projection 26 is engaged by the inclined upper surface 23, and upon further insertion of the core, the projection 26 will be forced outwardly by the inclined surface until the second recess 24 is brought into alignment with the projection. At this time, the projection drops into the recess 24, behind the shoulder 25, firmly locking the core 13 in place within the casing.

As shown in Fig. l, when the core 13 is fully inserted in the-casing 10, the left-hand side of the recess 24 engages the left side of the projection 26, so-that the upper end ofthe core is held in the desired position in the casing, with the bosses 19-21 engaged with the end wall 10b thereof. In this position, the core ,13 defines, in combination with the vertical end walls of the casinga pair of vertical channels 27, 28. The channel 27, at the left side of the casing as viewed in Fig.v l, may be quite small,-while the channel 28 at theopposte Yside, of thecasing'is somewhat larger. Both channels 27, 28 communicate at their lower ends'` with the Vchannel dened by the base extensions V17 and the bottom ywall V18 of the core. Y Y Y Y YReceivedin the channels 27, 28 and traversing the lower end of the core 13, is an elongated flexible metal tape 27,9. The metal tape 29 is inthe forrn shown in Fig. Y7, .and has a circular opening 30 at one end. VThe opening 30 is adapted to receive a rivet 31, which is in turn secured to Ythe side wall of a cosmetic carrier 32 slidably received in the recess Y14 in the core member. The rivet, 31 has a shankportion projecting through the elongated vertical slot in the wall of the core, and

In accordance with the invention, the opposite end of the'iiexible tape 29 is tapered to a blunt point, 'as at 29a (Fig. 7) and has a keyhole slot 33 opening at the pointed end. The described end structure of the exible tape 29 constitutes one of the speciic improvements of the invention, and facilitates assembly of the improved holder, as will be more fully described.

Attached to the slotted end of the exible tape 29 is a hinge element, generally designated by the numeral 34 engages the llexible tape 29 exteriorly of the Ycore. AsV

shown in Figs. l and 2, the combined thickness of the exible tape 29 and the head of the rivet31jis approximately equal to that of the bosses19-,21 and projecting portions 17h of the baseextension 417.

and shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 Fig. 5 illustrates the blank used in forming the hinge element 34, and it will be observed therein that the blank is a generally rectangular sheet metal element having spaced tabs 3S projecting outwardly from one end, and a single, centrally positioned tab 36 projecting from its opposite end. Near the end of the blank from which the spaced tabs 35 project, is an elongated generally rectangular opening 37. At the opposite end of the blank is an enlarged opening 38, which extends from a point near the center line of the blank substantially to the root of the tab 36. Projecting into the opening 38 is a T-shaped tab 39, which is an integral part of the blank, and has its root substantially at the center line thereof. By way of example only, the T-shaped tab 39 may have a length in the order of .095", being in the order of .125" in width at its outer end, and .062 along its stem portion.

In forming the hinge element 34, the spaced tabs 35 are bent in circular form to define separate aligned eyes for the reception of hinge pins 40 (Fig. 3). The blank is also folded along an axis spaced slightly from the inner end of the large opening 38, so that the opposite ends of the blank lie in face-to-face relation, with thetab 36 lying between the tabs 35. The T-shaped tabY39 is alsoYbent at right angles, at a point intermediate the ends of the stem portion thereof. 'Ihe arrangement is such that the tab 39 projects downwardly, somewhat below the lowerV edge of the hinge element proper, and then laterally a distance not greater than the folded thickness ofthe hinge element. Advantageously, at least a small portion of the stem of the T-shaped tab 39 lies at right angles to the plane of the hinge element proper.

Attached to the hinge element 34 is a cover member 41, which is a generally flat sheet metal element, having spaced tab members 42 at one end bent in circular form and adapted to be engaged by the hingeYpins 40 held by the hinge element 34. The cover 41 also has a tab 43 positioned between the spaced tab members 42 and bent in semi-circular form, substantially as shown in Figs. 1 andk 2. When the cover 41 is assembled with the hinge element 34 the tab 43 on the cover engages the central tab 36 on the hinge member and urges the folded walls of the hinge element apart. As will be observed by comparing Fgs. 1 and 2, when the cover 41 lies in a closed position, at right angles to the hinge-element 34, the tab 43 holds the walls vof the hinge element apart a short distance, while when the cover' 41 is in an open position the walls of the hinge element are separated a substantially greater distance. The arrangement is such that the hinge element 34 at all timesv exerts a resilient force on the cover 41 tending to pivot thecover'into a closed position.

In the assembly of the new cosmetic holder, the' hinge and cover assembly 34, 41, flexible tape 29, carrier 32 and core 13 may be assembled together outside of the casing 10. The assembly ofthe hinge member 34 and exible tape 29is rendered highly eliicient and economical by the novel construction of these-parts. l The assembly sequence is shown in Figs. 8-10, and it will be observed therein that the flexible tape 29 is initially held in a position approximately parallel to the fold axis of the hinge element 34. When 'the tapeY29 is held in this position, the reducedend opening of the keyhole slot 33 is oriented in the same plane as the stem of the T-shaped tab 39. The tapered end 29a of the tape 29 is then projected into the enlarged opening'38in the hinge member,

so that the end opening of the keyhole slot 33 passes over the stem of the T-shaped tab 39. When the shank of the T-shaped tab 39 lies within the enlarged circular portion of the keyhole slot 33 the'tape 29 s rotated about the axis of the tab 39, until the hinge element 34 and tape are lined in the manner shown in Fig. l0. Y The parts are then interlocked in operative relation. In this respect, it will be understood that the diameter of the enlarged circular portion of the keyhole slot 33 is approximately equal to the width of the stern portion of tab 39, while the width of the reduced opening of the slot 33 is only slightly greater than the thickness of the tab 39 and substantially less than the width of the stem thereof.

y As shown in Fig. 3, the Width of the opening 38 in the hinge element is substantially less than that of the metal tape 29. Accordingly, the tapered end portion 29a of the tape is important in that it permits the end of the tape 29 to project up between'the edges of the opening 38 when the tape and hinge element are assembled together. By way of example, the tape 29 may have a width in the order of .328", while the width of the opening 38 may bc in the order of .186. The width of the tapered end of the tape 29 may be in the order of %2. Y After the hinge Yand cover assembly, tape, carrier and core are assembled together, the entire subassembly is inserted longitudinally into the casing 10, until the core 13 is fully received therein. At this time, the hinge and cover assembly is manipulated until the elongated opening 37 in the hinge element 34 lies opposite the opening 16 in the side wall of the core member 13. A thumbpiece 44 is then inserted through the vertical slot 12 in the casing and into the opening 37 in the hinge member 34. The thumb-piece 44 has a reduced end portion 44a of approximately the same dimensions as the opening 37 and has an enlarged head portion 44]; which is exposed outside of the casing 10.

When the reduced end of the thumb-piece 44 is inserted in the opening 37, it will be exposed to the interior of the core member 13 through the enlarged opening 38 in the hinge element 34 and through the opening 16 in the core member. The thumb-piece 44 may then be secured in place by means of a suitable crimping tool, not shown, which engages both sides of the piece and deforms the reduced end portion thereof, substantially in the manner indicated in Figs. l and 2.

The assembled cosmetic holder operates substantially in the same manner as the holder illustrated in the beforementioned Fullmer patent. The lipstick or other cosmetic item 4S is mounted at one end in the carrier 32, and is of such dimensions as to be fully received within the main recess 14 of the core member when the carrier 32 is in its lowermost position. The carrier 32 may be moved longitudinally in the recess 14 by manually engaging the thumb-piece 44 and moving it longitudinally in the slot 12. Thus, in Fig. l, the thumb-piece 44 is in its uppermost position, at which time the cover 41 closes off the top of the casing and the carrier 32 is held in a retracted position. To expose the lipstick 45, the thumbpiece 44 is moved downwardly, drawing the hinge element 34 and cover 41 downwardly into the casing, and acting through the ilexible tape 29 to force the carrier 32 upwardly. The exposed position of the lipstick is illustrated in Fig. 2, and it will be observed therein that the cover 41 is pivoted upwardly against the resilient force of the hinge member 34 so as to be concealed within the smallvertical compartment 28 deined by the core 13 and casing 16.

'Ihe cosmetic holder of the present invention is advantageous in that certain specific structural features are incorporated therein which enable the holder to be more etiiciently and economically manufactured, while at the same time providing a product having improved characteristics. One of the specic advantageous features is the improved plastic core member 13 which may be inserted longitudinally in the casing and automatically interlocked therewith in such manner as to dene a 'plurality of compartments for receiving the exible tape 29, cosmetic carrier 32 and hinge and cover assembly 34, 41. The core 13 has novel base extensions 17 at its lower end which hold the lower end of the core in fixed relation to the casing and serve to guide and confine the side edges of the flexible tape 29. The core 13 also has a recess 24 engaged by a projection 26 on the side wall of the casing, in combination with an elongated vertical groove or recess 22 which permits the core to be easily inserted within the casing. The projection 26 engages the core 13 near its upper end, and acts in cooperation with bosses 19-21 to retain the upper end of the core in predetermined relation to the casing 10.

Another novel and advantageous feature of the invention resides in the structure of the hinge element 34 and exible tape 29 whereby these parts may be assembled manually in a highly ecient and economical manner. In this respect, the hinge element 34 has an enlarged opening 38 in one side, and a T-shaped tab 39 which has its root at the lower edge of the enlarged opening. The tab 39 has its stem portion bent at right angles so that the end of the tab faces the opening 33. The flexible metal tape 29 has a tapered end portion with a keyhole slot 33 therein opening at the end extremity of the tape. The dimensions of the slot 33 are such that the tapered end of the tape may be projected into the opening 38V and the keyhole slot 33 applied over the stem portion of the T-shaped tab 39. The tape is then pivoted 9() degrees with respect to the hinge element to interlock the tape and tab 39 in operative relation. As may be readily observed in Figs. l and 2, for example, the improved interconnection between the tape 29 and hinge element 34 requires a minimum of space within the casing 10, so that the size of the chamber 28 may be maintained at a minimum.

It should be understood, however, that the specic device herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. In a cosmetic holder of the type having a casing open at one end, means dividing the casing into a plurality of compartments, a cosmetic carrier slidably received in one of said compartments, a ilexible metal tape connected at one end to one side of said carrier and extending downwardly around the bottom of said carrier and upwardly along the other side thereof, a hinge and cover assembly connected to the other end of said tape and adapted for slidable reception in a second one of said compartments, said casing having a vertical slot therein adjacent said second compartment, and manually engageable means connected to said hinge and cover `assembly and projecting through said slot; the improvement in said hinge and cover assembly and in said tape characterized by the hinge element of said assembly comprising a sheet metal member folded along an axis intermediate its ends, one of the walls of said hinge element having an enlarged opening therein extending substantially from said axis to a point on the wall adjacent the end thereof remote from said axis, a T-shaped tab integral with the other side wall of said element and having its root adjacent said axis, said tab having its stem portion bent substantially at right angles whereby the free end of said tab projects toward the said one wall of said hinge element, said tape having a keyhole slot in the said other end thereof adapted to be interlockingly engaged with said T-shaped tab.

2. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, further characterized by said tape having a Width greater than said enlarged opening, the said other end of said tape being tapered to provide for the receptionl of the said other end between the edges of said enlarged opening.

3. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, further characterized by said T-shaped tab projecting downwardly from the said other wall of said hinge element and having its stem portion bent at right angles wherebyY the free end of said tab projects toward the said one -Wall of said hinge element below the general outline thereof.

4. In a cosmetic holder of the type having a casing open at one end, means dividing the casing into'a plurality of compartments, a cosmetic carrier slidably received in one of said compartments, a exible metal tape connected at one end to one side'of said carrier and extending downwardly around the bottom of said carrier yand upwardly along the other side thereof, said casing having a vertical slot therein adjacent said other side, and manually engageable means connected to said tape yand projecting through said slot; the improvement which comprises a plastic core adapted for reception in said casing for dividing said casing into said plurality yof compartments, said core having base lextensions at its lower end extending downwardlyr from the body of said core and projecting laterally beyond the opposite vertical end Walls thereof, said base extensions being'located at opposite sides of said core and defining therebetween a channel for guiding said tape, said base extensions being closely received in said casing and adapted to retain theA lower end of said core in a predetermined position in said 8 casing with the vertical end walls of said core spaced from the vertical endl walls ofA said casing and detining therewith a pair of spaced verticalfchambers, a boss integral with said core and projecting outwardly from one vertical end wall thereof near the'upper end of saidrcore for maintaining thesaid one vertical endv wall in spaced relation to the adjacent vertical end wall of said casing, saidvcore having a vertically disposed cylindrical recess therein for the slidable reception of said carrier, said core References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED vSTATES PATENTS Fullmer a May 24, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 24, 1951 i.. M -iV 

